Background: Acute care for elders (ACE) units have been established in the United States to prevent functional decline in older hospitalized patients. Purpose: We sought to examine whether an ace unit that focused specifically on care of older oncology patients (OACE) compared with a usual care cancer ward (UCCW) demonstrated improved nutritional processes of care in patients who had documentation of nutritional deficits. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review to examine whether orders had been placed for a nutritional consult or use of nutritional supplements. Logistic regression analyses, controlling for confounding variables, were conducted to evaluate differences between the wards. Results: OACE unit patients were 2.1 times more likely than UCCW patients to have a nutrition consult placed and 2.5 times more likely to have nutritional supplements ordered. Conclusions: An OACE unit model of care resulted in increased nutritional interventions. Future work is warranted to evaluate outcomes of care. © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
